Michael LaPlaca

University of Dayton, Assistant Athletics Director, Multimedia

With a strategic focus on enhancing brand, revenue, and media opportunities, Michael LaPlaca has presided over one of the most successful eras with the Dayton Flyers. LaPlaca has been working for the University of Dayton since October 2006, currently serving as an assistant athletic director managing all digital and television platforms.

During the 2015-16 season, LaPlaca developed and successfully executed an enhanced television partnership with Spectrum Sports. On Spectrum Sports, the Dayton video department has broadcasted more than 130 events in men’s basketball, football, women’s basketball, volleyball, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, baseball, and softball. Dayton also produced a half-hour show “Dayton Flyers Insider” featuring a behind-the-scenes look at the men's basketball team and UD athletics programs. In addition, LaPlaca implemented an audio broadcast feed in Mandarin for men's basketball games, becoming the first NCAA Division I school to do so. Dayton’s Mandarin broadcast program was featured nationally in 2016-17 on CBS This Morning, CBS Sports, The New York Times, and Pear Video. Also in 2016-17, LaPlaca spearheaded an innovative social media marketing plan that set a University of Dayton single-season attendance record of 13,018 fans per game, ranked No. 21 nationally that year. In 2017-18, LaPlaca coordinated and implemented the men's basketball marketing and television strategies. For the third straight season, every Dayton Flyers men's basketball game was televised.

LaPlaca oversees all of Dayton's digital and video platforms, coordinating live video streaming broadcasts and shooting and creating video features. He serves as the liaison between Dayton’s multimedia clients, while also assisting with men’s basketball media relations and marketing efforts. LaPlaca has also produced high-level promotional hype videos and info graphics to create a more engaged community with Flyer supporters. LaPlaca directed a team that helped win the "Outstanding Promotional Video or Campaign" award at the 2010 College Sports Media Awards. The “Top 25” produced video helped the Flyers start the 2009-10 season nationally-ranked for the first time in the program’s 104 year history.

In 2007, LaPlaca developed a one-of-a-kind partnership with the university’s communication department merging live video broadcasts with student course work. The nationally-recognized program has helped University of Dayton students acquire jobs at places like CNN, ESPN, the Big Ten Network, and Fox Sports Ohio.

During his tenure at Dayton, LaPlaca has helped develop the DaytonFlyers.com website and social media platform. More than 5 million unique visitors visit Dayton's online outlets per year.  Other assignments at Dayton include designing marketing materials and execution plans to help with the promotion of Dayton Flyers athletics. LaPlaca has also crafted a highly successful digital marketing strategy by engaging Dayton Flyers fans with revenue efforts. Strategy focuses on season ticket sales, ticket packages, single-game ticket sales, and merchandise.

Before the University  of Dayton, LaPlaca gained experience as the sports information director at Manhattanville College for three years and director of media relations for the El Paso Buzzards – a minor league hockey team – for three years, as well. LaPlaca also served as the Atlantic 10 marketing chair for the Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Championship in 2017 and 2018. He has been a member of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) since 2003, Sports Video Group since 2008, and NACMA since 2011.

LaPlaca graduated from the University of Missouri in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in journalism.

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